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Tribunals - judges may sit alone on unfair dismissal cases

The Government has also published draft legislation that will allow employment judges to hear claims of unfair dismissal sitting alone (rather than the current three-member panel which includes two lay members), unless the judge decides otherwise.

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This is likely to apply to straightforward claims of unfair dismissal; more complex claims are still likely to be heard by a panel. The aim is to speed up and reduce the cost of the tribunal system.

Judges may also hear all cases alone in the Employment Appeal Tribunal, unless they decide otherwise. This will also take effect from 6 April 2012.

A draft Order will also increase the maximum levels of deposit orders (from £500 to £1000) and costs awards (from £10,000 to £20,000).

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